HB91 Information

A individual no longer enrolled in a Georgia public school and who previously failed to receive a high school diploma in this state or was denied graduation solely for failing to achieve a passing score on one or more portions of the Georgia High School Graduation Tests or its predecessor or the Georgia High School Writing Test or its predecessor may petition the local board of education in which he or she was last enrolled to determine the student’s eligibility to receive a high school diploma pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 20-2-281.1 based on the graduation requirements in effect when the student first entered ninth grade.

The following is a statement from State Superintendent Woods:

“I applaud and thank Chairman Brooks Coleman, members of the General Assembly and Governor Deal for passing and signing House Bill 91. While in 2011 the State Board of Education eliminated the test as a requirement for graduation, it did not extend to students who were unsuccessful on the test prior to that time. House Bill 91 makes it possible for those students to finally obtain their high school diploma so they can move on to a brighter future. Those who completed all of the requirements for graduation except for passing one test on one given day now have the opportunity to go on to some form of postsecondary education, where they can obtain skills needed to have a great quality of life and be contributors to our society.”

A petition form must be submitted and copy of a government issued photo ID must accompany mail in petitions. Students must have completed all requirements for a regular education diploma under the graduation requirements in place at the time of entry into ninth grade to be eligible for a petition.